Discovering Faith in Batticaloa: The Kavadi Festival at Sithandy Temple
Recently when I was moving around the part of Batticaloa I was lucky enough to capture a dancing Hinduism at the Sithandy Temple which hosts the Kavadi Festival. Batticaloa, where people have multiple cultural practices, is rich in them; and my visit to the temple gave me an insight into one of the most fervent ways in which the Tamil people worship.
The Importance of Sithandy Temple
Sithandy Temple has a significance role as a place of worship for local Hindus in the region. Pursuant with the Tamil culture the temple is said to be constructed in the honor of Lord Murugan, the god of warfare, victory and wisdom. During my visit, the compound was responded to full character with prophetic people, and a sweet scent of the burning of incense which encouraged the people with faith to get in to learn the importance Hindu religion.
The Kavadi Festival: A Journey of Devotion
The Kavadi Festival is a strong belief whereby those who are bringing the Kavadi arc going with the intention of fulfilling certain vows made to Lord Murugan through suffering. Thus, “kavadi” literally stands for the burden of a devotee—who carries it both metaphorically and in real life sense, as he prepares to go on a sacred pilgrimage. This burden can manifest in one of the following ways: carved wooden collars and frames or superficial body modifications such as hook or skewer inserted into the skin.
I was deeply impressed witnessing the festival itself, but the most attention was paid to the true devotees who stabs themselves with sharp objects welcoming the additional pain. Hence, this act of carrying the Kavadi symbolised the process of ‘off-loading ‘ or ‘throwing away ’ these burdens in the name of ‘getting clean.
The Flying Kavadi: A Spectacle of Faith
Among all the attractions of the festival the most thrilling was the “Flying Kavadi”. In this tradition people are hung by hooks that are inserted through their skin, from ropes or a crane. The devotees dance ceremonially thus swinging in the air with elaborace Kavadis firmly fixed on their backs this is a symbol of faith and endurance. This kind of self immolation is done by those who are vowed and is a form of submission to Lord Murugan of the total compliance.
It was a very inspiring and at the same time a little embarrassing to see people suspended like this. This was calmness accompanied by a sort of spiritual concentration on their faces, though the physical exhaustion was visible. That was a strong message about which people nowadays are ready to go in order to proclaim their belief and love.
The Rituals and Processions
The festival is a combination of colors, music, dances and many other things one can imagine. Men, women and children were seen dressed in bright colourful traditional costumes, lest were seen carrying exquisite Kavadis, adorned with flowers, feathers and paintings/ etchings of Lord Murugan. They stumbled as drumming took over and prayer chanted, turning into something almost ceremonial.
Kavadi Festival devotees usually fast and some of them take time preparing themselves in preparation for the Kavadi Festival. This painful physical tramp and pilgrimage to harmonize the souls for lord Murugan shows their intention to draw the blessings whether in form of strength, health, compassion, and protection or advice to prevail in difficult circumstances.
Many people were walking around the Sithandy Temple accompanied with active stalls with other offerings, smell of food in the air. Householders and children came forward, both for prayer and celebration indicating a good community feel. It was happiness and worshiping, everybody was cheerful and focused.
It is because of this feeling of camaraderie from all the participants which made the entire event so special. Whether the Kavadis they carried which could weigh up to 100lbs, the multiple piercings they subjected their bodies to
A Deep and Lasting Impression
It was the raw passion shared by all in this beautiful land that I found by departing Batticaloa which this outstanding Kavadi Festival at Sithandy Temple was engraved in my mind by not as an event, but as passion. The trip was a refreshing eye-opener of how colourful and culturally and religiously diverse Sri Lanka indeed is. The Flying Kavadi, especially, was the outstanding indication of how far would go to complete the fasts and give themselves fully to spirituality.
For tourists in search of great local exposure and want to see more of Hinduism, the Kavadi Festival held at Sithandy Temple is even more fascinating. It offers a deep look at the functionality of faith and the camaraderie of people that endure a community’s reel heritage subsisting with their culture.